An estimated 10% of the US population is said to be afflicted with eczema, a chronic skin disease that causes red, itchy skin. Standard eczema therapies, such as topical corticosteroids, simply aren’t effective enough for a lot of people. However, because of scientific advancements, physicians are now better able to understand the molecular causes of eczema. This is resulting in some intriguing developments for the treatment of eczema.
In the past few years, numerous innovative eczema therapies have been introduced.
Actually, the term “eczema” is used to describe a variety of inflammatory skin disorders. Atopic dermatitis is the most prevalent of them. The FDA has approved four new drugs for atopic dermatitis, after several years without any new treatments on the market. Despite their varied use, all aim to reduce or eliminate the body’s inflammatory response. Novel drugs consist of:
Crisaborole, also known as Eucrisa: For mild-to-moderate eczema, use this non-steroid topical medication. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is an enzyme found in our bodies that contributes to inflammation. Crisaborole can alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms by preventing PDE4 from inducing excessive inflammation.
Dupixent (Dupilumab): This medication is an injectable called a biologic, which means that living cells, such as human DNA, were used in its creation. Biologics influence particular areas of the immune system. Dupilumab works by blocking certain proteins known as interleukins, which are responsible for the inflammation that results in atopic dermatitis. For moderate-to-severe eczema, dupilumab is an option, but like all biologics, it comes at a high cost.
Upadacitinib (Rinvoq): This biologic drug, when taken as a pill, inhibits specific cytokines, which are messengers of the immune system, thereby reducing inflammation and ameliorating eczema symptoms. When a patient is not a good candidate for other systemic medications, it can treat moderate-to-severe eczema.
Adbry, or traslokinumab, is a biologic medication administered intravenously. One of the cytokines that contributes to eczema symptoms is blocked by it: IL-13. When topical treatments are not an option, it is authorized for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
The development of novel eczema treatments may depend on our ability to comprehend the genetic component of atopic dermatitis.
Although the precise etiology of atopic dermatitis has not been determined, scientists believe that a mix of genetics and environment is responsible. But at least we could be getting closer now. Researchers have recently found that atopic dermatitis may result from a mutation in the CARD11 gene.
Research revealed that atopic dermatitis and other disorders were brought on by improper communication between certain body cells and the CARD11 gene. Nevertheless, the study also demonstrated that glutamine, an amino acid, assisted in resolving some of the cell communication problems. This led researchers to conclude that glutamine supplements would be helpful in reducing eczema patients’ symptoms.
The effects of supplemented glutamine on atopic dermatitis are being investigated further.
